Knowledge Base

DanioVision Technical Specifications

DanioVision™ is a complete system for the tracking of zebrafish larvae, insect larvae, and other very small animals in a multi-well plate. The system consists of:

• The DanioVision Observation Chamber
• The Temperature Control Unit (optional)
• The Tapping Device (optional device for sound/vibration stimulus)
• Computer
• EthoVision® XT video tracking software (pre-installed)

Observation Chamber

Main Features

The Observation Chamber provides a controlled environment for testing. It features:

• An infrared (IR) sensitive high-speed GigE digital camera
• An IR and white light backlit basin with plate/dish holder
• An innovative optical design to prevent image distortion
• Connections for additional stimuli (such as Tapping Device)
• In- and outflow connections for the flow-through of water in the basin

Dimensions

Closed position: 61 x 32 x 49 cm (24" x 12.6" x 19.3")

Door opening: 35 x 29 cm (13.8" x 11.4")

Power Requirements

24 V DC, 2.0 A (max)

Mains adapter input: 100–240 V AC. Output: 24 V DC, 3.0 A.

PC Interface

USB-2 compatible

Weight

15 kg (excluding power supply, external tubes, and cables)

Camera

The DanioVision Observation Chamber includes a GigE digital camera with an IR lens.

• Basler acA1300-60gm
• Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 connector, CAT5e or higher)
• 1/1.8" Progressive Scan CMOS, monochrome
• 8 mm (default) or 12 mm (optional) lens, F1.4, IR pass filter

Video performance options:

• 800 x 600 at 60 fps (8 mm lens) — default
• 640 x 480 at 60 fps (12 mm lens) — optional
• 1280 x 960 at 30 fps (12 mm lens) — optional

Basin

The backlit water basin allows for the inflow, outflow, and overflow of water and holds several multi-well plates, petri dishes, and other small containers.

Basin dimensions: 15.8 x 13.2 cm (6.2" x 5.2")

Microplate Holder

• Compatibility: ANSI and SBS compatible
• Dimensions: 127.76 x 85.48 x ±0.50 mm
• Maximum height: 27 mm

Water Connections

• Inlet/outlet: tube fitting 8 mm
• Overflow: tube fitting 10 mm
• Inlet tube: 1.5 m clear PVC hose, 8 mm OD, 5 mm ID (marked green)
• Outlet tube: 1.5 m clear PVC hose, 8 mm OD, 5 mm ID (marked yellow)
• Overflow tube: 1.5 m clear PVC hose, 10 mm OD, 8 mm ID (marked red)

Lights

The backlight unit of the basin combines an IR and white light array. The IR light (near infrared at ~950 nm) is invisible and used for tracking only. It is permanently turned on at a constant level to enable accurate detection and tracking of the animals.

The visible white light is meant to be used as a stimulus (light pulse) or to mimic daylight conditions. Changes in white light will not be picked up by the camera. The white light has a color temperature (Tc/°K) of ~5500 and an intensity ranging from a minimum of ~0 lux to a maximum of ~5000 lux.

You can program EthoVision XT to turn the light on or off, or to build up or decrease the white light gradient. White light levels are measured directly on the bottom of the water basin. For more information on how to use and change the white light settings in your experiment, please refer to the EthoVision XT user manual.

External Input/Output

You can connect several stimulus devices to the DanioVision system using TTL connections:

• TTL input/output (4x module RJ45 connector):
  • 4 x 2 TTL input
  • 4 x 2 TTL output
• TTL expansion port 1:
  • 4 x TTL output (open collector output)
  • 1 x input camera
  • 1 x output camera
• TTL expansion port 2 (1 x modular RJ45 connector):
  • 8 pin feed through

Temperature Control Unit

The Temperature Control Unit is connected to the DanioVision Observation Chamber to control the temperature of the water in the basin that holds the well plate. The temperature is measured at the base of the basin.

Mechanical

• Dimensions: 460 x 210 x 280 mm
• Weight: 7 kg
• Hose connectors: 8 mm outer diameter tube

Electrical

• Operating voltage: 24 V DC
• TTL port specifications: 2 input (max 5 V), 2 output (max 5 V, open collector)

Operational

• Temperature accuracy: ±0.5 °C / 0.9 °F
• Temperature set point range: 15–40 °C / 59–104 °F (depending on ambient temperature)
• Maximum heating capacity: 10 °C / 18 °F above ambient temperature
• Maximum cooling capacity: 2.5 °C / 4.5 °F below ambient temperature
• Permissible water temperature range: 5–50 °C / 41–122 °F
• Water capacity: approximately 350 ml
• Pump water flow rate: approximately 310 ml/min
• Permissible height difference: Temperature Control Unit must be at the same height as or a maximum of 1.3 m lower than the DanioVision chamber

Tapping Device

The Tapping Device produces a tap at the basin causing a vibration that can be used to evoke a startle response. The tap can be set to a specific force (1–8) with a maximum tapping rate of 3 taps per second, and is programmable with EthoVision XT software.

Specifications

• Dimensions (including bracket): 6 x 24 x 7.5 cm (2.4" x 9.4" x 3")
• Dimensions of electronics housing: 2.5 x 10 x 6.5 cm (1" x 3.9" x 2.6")
• Weight: 300 g
• Power requirements: 24 V DC, 0.4 A (max)

Connectors

• Molex 1 pin — Power (24 V)
• Molex 4 pin — Tapping device to electronics
• Blue multi connector — TTL control signal

Source: Technical specifications - DanioVision, Noldus Information Technology